By Lindsey Washburn | Observer Reporter
The Fitness and Well ness Center now has several membership options for students, according to Steve Washkevich, director of the center, in an email on January 12th.
The new options available to full time students are $48.00 for a semester of unlimited use, $35.00 for a semester of limited use (11:00am to 3:00pm only), $35.00 for a month of unlimited use, or $5.00 to just drop in. A summer membership would be $48.00 if purchased during the school year. These options replace the previous rate of $60.00 per semester.
In the same email, Washkevich explained that he had been approached by the Student Government Association about a possible reduction in student rates. Proposing and defining the new rates took about six weeks from start to finish. In addition to Washkevich, the SGA, President Asquino and Vice President Terceiro, were all involved in the process.
Many area seniors, adults and families, use the Fitness and Wellness Center alongside MWCC students. “The revenue produced by these groups must meet the expenses to keep the building open. We are working very hard at becoming more efficient in the operation while finding new avenues of revenue,” wrote Washkevich. “We’re working hard at keeping the Fitness Center the best value in fitness.”
Washkevich also said that closing the pool had been discussed, “along with everything else at the college, to see where we could save some money.” However, despite the sudden and all-encompassing budget crunch the Fitness and Wellness Center pool will remain open. “So far it has been determined that it is in the best interest of the facility and its membership to keep the pool open. The pool is an important part of the Fitness Center membership and the community at large,” wrote Washkevich, director of the Fitness and Wellness center in an email on January 12th.
Washkevich praised the new Aquatics Director, David Graham, for the work he has done to increase the pool’s use and revenue.
The pool offers swimming lessons, birthday parties, the masters swim program, aqua classes, lifeguard and water safety instructor training, and free swim periods. The Gardner High swim team, the Greenwood swim team and the Wachusett swim team all use the pool at the fitness center.
In all, about 835 swimmers use the pool weekly, Washkevich said in the same email.
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